Top 10 Dysfunctional TV Families

Script written by Tiffany Ezuma.
Think your family is insane? In this video, WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the top 10 dysfunctional TV families. For this list, we’ve chosen those TV families that have more reasons to break up than to stay together. They fight each other, backstab each other, and seem to all-out hate each other; but, despite their differences, they still try to make things work – and boy, is it entertaining. However, you won’t find any soap opera families on this list, cause that just wouldn’t be fair. And, if you’re looking for a list of more traditional family unites, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 TV Families.
Special thanks to our users zendaddy621, PsychicPenguin12, Tyler Smith, Paul Meier, Youdaman101, Philip Folta, aldqbigsquare, marisarevertt, Everardo Marquez and Amanda Norman for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.com/suggest

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Top 10 Dysfunctional TV Families

Think your family is insane? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 dysfunctional TV families.

For this list, we’ve chosen those TV families that have more reasons to break up than to stay together. They fight each other, backstab each other, and seem to all-out hate each other; but, despite their differences, they still try to make things work – and boy, is it entertaining. However, you won’t find any soap opera families on this list, cause that just wouldn’t be fair. And, if you’re looking for a list of more traditional family unites, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 TV Families.

#10: The Gallaghers
“Shameless” (2011-)

Based on the popular British show of the same name, these Gallaghers have a lot to live up to. But they’ve more than exceeded their quota of what it takes to be a dysfunctional family. They lie, cheat, and steal to get what they need; but that’s probably because alcoholic Frank has set such a good example. He only brings trouble to the family whenever he shows up, like that time he got them to pretend he was dead so he could avoid the thugs after him.

#9: The Lannisters
“Game of Thrones” (2011-)

Led by the vicious and calculating Tywin, the Lannisters are a powerful bunch – but one that is as dysfunctional to the core. While Tywin doesn’t have much time for his son the imp, it’s his other kids that are the bigger issue: Cersei’s three kids are actually her brother Jaime’s – not King Robert Baratheon’s – and it’s just about the worst kept secret in the Seven Kingdoms. It figures that Joffrey is a product of incest, given his unusually cruel and devious behavior when he becomes king.

#8: The Wilkersons
“Malcolm in the Middle” (2000-06)

Hal and Lois would probably win the award for most stressed out parents ever, after all their boys have put them through. Their oldest, Francis, can’t seem to get it together, even after military school, Reese is a psycho set on torturing his younger brothers, and Dewey is a genius but a major spaz. Malcolm most resembles a normal kid, but even he can’t escape Lois’s constant yelling and scolding and his father’s constant, well, uselessness.

#7: The Coopers
“The O.C.” (2003-07)

This family was young, rich, and extremely good looking; but in Orange County that only guarantees deep unhappiness. Jimmy, the family patriarch, can’t seem to stop stealing money from his clients and his ex, Julie, has a past as a porn-star and makes wise decisions like dating her teenage daughter’s ex-boyfriend. With parents like these, it’s no wonder Marissa had a self-destructive streak that led to alcoholism, depression, and relationships with bad boys.

#6: The Simpsons
“The Simpsons” (1989-)

We couldn’t imagine a better feuding family than the Simpsons. After more than 25-years on the air, we’ve seen them go through more crazy antics than any normal family would tolerate. They’ve raised a menace to society in Bart, Maggie’s still a baby, and Lisa’s too smart for her own good. Meanwhile, Homer’s pretty much the biggest dope ever, and poor Marge has to stop him from choking the kids all the time. But, they remain a family unit against all odds – dysfunctional as it may be.

#5: The Sopranos
“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)

When your father is a mob boss, it’s pretty hard to have a regular home life. Tony wasn’t easy to get along with and his numerous affairs probably didn’t help the family dynamic. But, to Tony’s credit, his son AJ was one of the worst brats we’ve ever seen on TV, his wife wasn’t really in love with him, and his extended family only wanted to use him. Only Meadow had it somewhat together. This family was the perfect candidate for a group therapy session.

#4: The Bunkers
“All in the Family” (1971-79)

Before there was Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin, there was Archie Bunker, the king of political incorrectness. There was no group or target that Archie was afraid to upset. In the show’s theme song, Archie longs for “the good old days/when girls were girls and men were men.” But despite Archie’s outdated philosophy and his bigotry, Edith, Gloria and her man Mike stood by and him and tolerated his outrageous behavior. Audiences did too, and the show became a critical success spawning numerous spin-offs.

#3: The Griffins
“Family Guy” (1999-)

The Griffins are that family that everyone dreads hanging out with a social events – they’re loud, unruly, and don’t seem to know any social cues. Peter has no filter, Chris is an idiot, Meg has no self-esteem, and Lois is a kleptomaniac former meth addict. Plus, Stewie is the most evil one-year-old you’ll ever meet. But you can’t help but to love the Griffins because they’re real with each other when it would be so much easier to lie.

#2: The Bluths
“Arrested Development” (2003-06, 2013)

As far as families go, the Bluths have to be the most eclectic group to ever share the same set of DNA. Nothing about this family makes sense, not the least of which is the fact that these two are twins. Michael seems to be the only semi-normal one; but it’s easy to look normal when your family includes an escaped convict for a patriarch, a set of kissing of cousins, a hopeless magician, and a sexed up, raging alcoholic of a mother. Oh, and Buster…

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- The Fishers “Six Feet Under” (2001-05)
- The Brodys “Homeland” (2011-)
- The Costanzas “Seinfeld” (1989-98)
- The Drapers “Mad Men” (2007-15)

#1: The Bundys
“Married… with Children” (1987-97)

Apparently cursed to a life of mediocrity, the Bundys make a mess of basically everything they attempt. And it’s that “Bundy curse” that’s caused them to essentially give up, since that’s way easier than putting any effort into anything. Peggy’s an over-coiffed nag, Al lives the miserable life of a shoe salesman, and neither Bud nor Kelly shows signs of having a functioning brain. The first TV unit to truly revel in their dysfunction, the Bundys were that mean family that always said what you wished you could.

Do you agree with our list? Which TV family do you think has the worst behavior? For more misbehaving Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.